An IHOP server was lambasted online after she “begged” for a tip from a table who stiffed her. But it was no ordinary table–a group of 16 racked up a $300 bill, only to leave zero cents for Lili (@hvny.lil).
Lili filmed herself sharing her story, conscious of the incendiary reaction she’d receive. And she was right.
Begging for a tip?
“I asked my table for a tip after they were gonna stiff me,” Lili begins her video, which earned half a million views on TikTok. “I don’t care how much hate I get for this.”
Lili says she received a table of 16 on Saturday morning, which is already one of the busiest days for the restaurant. According to the TikToker, they made several customizations to their orders. It included 6 vegetarian combos, 7 omelets, 15 waters, and 14 hot chocolates with whipped cream.
“‘And make it quick because we have somewhere to be,’” Lili says the customer told her. She let him know the restaurant was busy but she would “try her best.”
Lili says the kitchen prepared the food quickly so the table didn’t have to wait long. However, she had to enlist the help of two other servers so she could serve the food. When Lili checked on them, the table had no complaints and said everything was great. When the time came to pay, the head of the table asked for one check.
The total came out to $320.35, and he paid cash, giving Lili $321. Lili went back to the table to see if she had missed any tips they may have left and saw none. So she decided to go ask him.
“‘I didn’t know it was mandatory,’” the man replied. Lili assured it wasn’t and said she just wanted to make sure everything was to his expectations. He ended up handing her a $50 bill before leaving the restaurant.
“How dare you go out to eat with a party of 16 on a tab of $320 and not tip?” Lili tells her viewers.
Lili then pulls out the actual check from that table, which she says she kept in case people didn’t believe her. She shows the fairly long IHOP receipt she says is “half her size.” The minimum gratuity of 15% would’ve been $48, she says.
“If you don’t got money to tip on your meal, don’t even go out to eat,” Lili says.
Viewers came for her throat
As is customary with any tipping video on TikTok, viewers had divided opinions. Most of those on her side were servers or others who worked in the service industry.
“Everyone saying tipping isn’t mandatory hasn’t worked the service industry!!!!” one user wrote. “These comments ain’t it.”
Another said, “All the people in the comments saying they don’t tip is crazy, I’d love to see non-servers try to serve 16-20 people at once. Dealing with rude people, messy people, needy people. I always say people will never understand unless they’re in the restaurant industry. Can’t tip order to go or cook at home.”
“Yuppp! Not tipping is so embarrassing to admit publicly,” one echoed.
However, the majority of the comments were blasting Lili for asking for a tip.
“Begging for a tip is crazy!!!” a top comment read.
Another said her move was more embarrassing than her customer’s: “Chasing someone down begging for a tip is probably more embarrassing than not tipping in the first place when it’s optional.”
Another told her just to change careers: “Get a different job! Tipping isn’t mandatory go ask your company for better pay.”
What happens if you don’t tip?
Lili addressed several of these comments in a follow-up video, particularly the ones saying tipping isn’t mandatory. While Lili admits it isn’t, she explains what happens if you don’t tip for a bill that large.
“Servers pay, we literally pay if you don’t leave us a tip,” Lili explains. “We literally have to pay your tip for your table.”
This is called tipping out, a practice where servers pool their tips together so all workers—and even back-of-house staff like the bussers, food runners, and cooks—can get a cut. So if one table doesn’t tip, Lili will have to make up for that by paying out of pocket. Similarly, if a server receives a hefty tip, that doesn’t mean they’ll go home with it, but more likely with less.
@hvny.lil Before you “get another job then” me, how bout eat at home then ??♀️ we literally LOSE money when you don’t tip, we basically payyyy to serve you! #fyp #tippingculture #stayhome #serverlife ♬ original sound – hvny.lil
Has tipping culture gone too far?
Some customers may be aware of this practice, but that hasn’t slowed down the “tipping culture” debate. Post-COVID, terms like “iPad tipping” and “tipping fatigue” were coined after several new places added tipping for non-sit-down service. This included self-checkout kiosks, self-serve places, and even for oil changes. The rise of tip requests has even inspired a trend on TikTok where folks do the most banal of tasks, then ask for a tip. For example, listening to someone vent, tying someone’s shoe, or even after proposing to the love of your life.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Lili via Instagram direct message.
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